Homemade Pizza

A fond memory from my childhood is going to my Aunt Linda's for her homemade pizza. It was always a treat! So, today, I attempted to make my own homemade pizza. One of the best things about my aunt's pizza is her canned pizza sauce, which unfortunately I do not have (canned some last summer, but just used the last jar a couple weeks ago).

My dough recipe was compliments of my Betty Crocker cookbook. It goes like this....

2.5 to 3 c. all-purpose flour
1 pkg active dry yeast
0.5 tsp. salt
1 cup warm water (120 to 130 degrees F)
2 tbsp. olive oil
Cornmeal (optional)

In large bowl combine 1 1/4 c. of the flour, the yeast, and salt; add warm water and oil. Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using a wooden spoon, stir in as much of the remaining flour as you can. Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff dough that is smooth and elastic (6 to 8 min. total). Divide dough in half. Cover; let rest for 10 minutes. Grease two pizza pans or baking sheets; sprinkle with cornmeal (optional). On lightly floured surface, roll each dough into an 11-in. circle; transfer to prepared pans. Build up edges slightly. Cover and let rise in warm place until nearly double (30 to 45 min.). Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Prick dough with a fork. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes or until light brown.

On to assembling the pie...first, the ingredient list:

2 lb. Italian sausage

2 jars pizza sauce

Pepperoni

Canned mushrooms

Artichoke hearts packed in oil

Chopped green peppers

1 or 2 leeks, chopped (you can replace with onion if you don't have leeks)

Mozzarella and provolone shredded cheese mix

Italian seasoning

Cook Italian sausage with chopped leeks in a skillet.

Generously add pizza sauce to the crust. Add meat mixture on top of sauce with pepperoni layered on top. Add vegetables on top of meat. Finish with a generous layer of the cheese mix. 

                          

Sprinkle top of cheese with Italian seasoning.

Bake in 400 degree oven for approximately 20 minutes or until cheese melt and starts to get slightly golden.

Let the pie rest for a few minutes before cutting and serving. Each pizza will make four 2-slice servings.

By the way, I love using leeks in recipes like this. If you're not familiar with leeks, they are very similar to onions, but are more delicate and sweeter in flavor. They are delicious and very aromatic when cooking! To prep them, pull the outer layers off and discard. Slice the leek at the top of the white area (where it starts to be tinged slightly green). Then slice the leek in half longways. You will then need to 'fan out' each half and wash under running water (often dirt is trapped here). Then put on cutting board (cut side down) and slice in approx. 1/4 in. slices.

Enjoy!